With 24 people in the Ottawa zip code working at the Dresden nuclear power station, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Director Jeff Hettrick estimates an impact of up to $2.4 million per year on the city’s economy. And with 114 in or close to Ottawa working at LaSalle Station, the impact could be around $11 million.
So far, Dresden is the nuclear power plant that Exelon says it will close. But it warns that LaSalle Station is also at high risk.
Each nuclear power plant with two reactors typically has around 750 to 800 full time, permanent employees. It also has around 1,500 temporary employees in for around three weeks at refueling time every year. When they spend money in the area, they support local businesses.
An interview with Jeff Hettrick: